CherryBlossom

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OMG - i finally am able to get back into this stupid thing.  It's been a whole dang year and yep, DENIED!  Not by the insurance but by my employer.  They didn't "buy" the WLS package or something so ... i'm kinda stuck.  Over the last 6 months or so i've been "doin' the D.E.W." that my version of Diet, Exercise, and Water.  I've lost 40 pounds the old fashioned way.  I am so proud of myself and want to lose more (of course) but it's been hard lately.  And now, with the holidays here, i'm scared.  My goal is to lose at least 15 more pounds by the end of the year.  Fingers Crossed.

In the interim, i am looking into the fine details of surgery in Mexico.  If i have the surgery (LAP) i will have to be self-pay.  Mexico, so i'm told, is a heck of a lot cheaper and just as good.  I'll keep looking into it while i keep trying to lose the weight on my own. 

Yay!  Now if I can keep from getting kicked out again i'll be set. 

My paperwork was submitted to the insurance company this past Monday (1/22), I think, so I guess I should be hearing something soon.  I am so excited about the prospect of being "normal".  The last time I was at my weight goal was highschool (probably like most of us).  And do you want to know what is sad?  I remember feeling fat and unattractive.  OMG what I would give to be back at that weight.  Goodness!  Well, hopefully the insurance company will approve and I will be on my way back to healthyville.  

I'm still nervous about the surgery.  I have had 2 surgeries in the past:  plastic survery and then a c-section for my son.  Both times I really wasn't that nervous but I am now.  It must be because of my son (who, by the way is 15 months and is the nation's biggest sweatheart).  I have a fear of dying and leaving him without a mom.  If I had to rate all three surgeries from easiest to hardest, I would say that the Lap-Band is going to be the easiest.  But I am still anxious about the whole deal.  

Ok gang.  I'll speak at cha later.
 

Yes, my first appointment is over and I must say it was quite a nice experience.  I am lucky that my dear friend Hellen was with me as she had her appointment on the same day.  Our hospital has does the RNY and the Lap Band procedures and as a Center of Excellence their track record is just a hair better than the u.s. mortality rate of 1/200.  It surprised me to know that they have only done 16 Lap Band surgeries and that they are still under a trial phase.  This means that they can only operate on females that are under the BMI of 45.  Good news is my future surgeon has cleared me as meeting the BMI stipulation so now I just wait on the insurance to approve.  Dr. Morgan said that it was a simple surgery and the only thing that was difficult was the follow-up appointments to adjust the saline in the Lap Band.  She said it could take several tries at the "sweet spot".  I'm not worried about that at all and I was very relieved that she said that the surgery was pretty easy.  

Ok, I'm sure this is not news to anyone reading this so I will close for now.  Oh, and if you have a few minutes, click on my friend (ChristianM) to view some hilarious videos.  I love this guy!!

~TTFN   

Ok, I don't know if that is a good thing or not but yes, the holidays are almost over.  Once again I "went on a diet" (OOooo... that's a new one) and lost about 10 pounds.  Guess what?  No, really. Guess.  Ok, I gained it back and then some.  

I changed my insurance over to a new provider that will be effective January 1st.  Hopefully they will cover the surgery.  I have been looking through the benefits list of my new carrier and they seem pretty strict about not paying for weight loss procedures and programs.  The new insurance has that magical "clause" that says (badly paraphrasing), "will not pay for weight loss programs or procedures for obesity."  It does not say "morbid obesity" so I am hoping like H-E-double toothpick that it will cover it.  I have lots and lots of paperwork from several of my doctors that support the surgery and I have lots and lots of receipts and proof of effort towards weight loss.  I'm talking back 3 years worth!  I have my fingers crossed!!

Ok gang, my first appointment is January 4th.  Hellen and I will be spending the day together with the fine foks of MUSC.

Have a very merry Christmas and a joyful and peaceful New Year.

Wow...ok.  I think I got this site to work.  Ok let's see where we go on this journey.